Lens system for high quality visible image acquisition and infra-red iris image acquisition

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for acquiring IR light and visible light images. A lens may be configured to operate in at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The lens may have a first filter over a first portion of the lens and a second filter over a second portion of the lens. In the first configuration, a third filter may operate with the lens and the second filter to allow visible light from a first object located beyond a predetermined distance from the lens to pass and be focused on a sensor for image acquisition. In the second configuration, a fourth filter may operate with the lens and the first filter to allow IR light from a second object located within the predetermined distance to pass and be focused on the sensor for image acquisition.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/105,691, filed Jan. 20, 2015, entitled “LENS SYSTEMFOR HIGH QUALITY VISIBLE IMAGE ACQUISITION AND INFRA-RED IRIS IMAGEACQUISITION”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for imageacquisition. In particular, this disclosure relates to systems andmethods of using filters to acquire visible light and infra-red (IR)light images.

BACKGROUND

The diversity and number of computing devices have increasedsignificantly in recent times. For example, there are portable devicessuch as laptops and tablets, and traditional desk-bound computingplatforms. Some of these devices may include embedded cameras, but thesecameras are typically configured in a manner unsuitable for acquiringiris biometric data for authentication purposes.

SUMMARY

In some aspects, the disclosure is directed at methods and systems ofusing a sensor to acquire biometric and non-biometric images using acombination of filters over a lens. Pairs of the filters can combineover different portions of the lens to pass infra-red or visible light.Therefore, the filters can selectively pass infra-red light through thelens for acquisition of biometric images, and can selectively passvisible light through the lens for acquisition of non-biometric images.Portions of the lens may be configured to support a first depth of fieldfor objects being imaged using IR light, and to support a second depthof field for objects being imaged using visible light. For instance, thesensor may acquire an image of an iris based on a first imagingconfiguration. The iris may be located within a predetermined distancerelative to the sensor. The first imaging configuration may include afirst filter over a first portion of a lens coupled to the sensor, and asecond filter over at least the first portion that combine with thefirst filter to allow infra-red light from the iris to pass to thesensor. The sensor may acquire an image of an object based on a secondimaging configuration. The object may be located beyond thepredetermined distance. The second imaging configuration may include athird filter over a second portion of the lens, and a fourth filterreplaces the second filter to combine with the third filter to allowvisible light from the object to pass to the sensor.

In one aspect, this disclosure describes a system for acquiring IR lightand visible light images. The system may include a sensor and a lens.The lens may be configured to operate in at least a first configurationand a second configuration. The lens may have a first filter over afirst portion of the lens and a second filter over a second portion ofthe lens. In the first configuration, a third filter may operate withthe lens and the second filter to allow visible light from a firstobject located beyond a predetermined distance from the lens to pass andbe focused on the sensor for image acquisition. In the secondconfiguration, a fourth filter may operate with the lens and the firstfilter to allow IR light from a second object located within thepredetermined distance to pass and be focused on the sensor for imageacquisition.

In some embodiments, the second object located within the predetermineddistance comprises an iris for biometric acquisition. At least one ofthe second filter or the third filter may include a band-pass filterconfigured to allow light of wavelength from 400 nm to 700 nm to pass.At least one of the first filter or the fourth filter may include aband-pass filter configured to allow light of wavelength from 750 nm to860 nm to pass. The lens may be disposed at a fixed distance from thesensor in the first configuration and the second configuration.

In certain embodiments, the second region of the lens comprises acentral disk portion of the lens facing the sensor, and the first regionof the lens comprises an annulus portion around the central diskportion. Only one of the third filter or the fourth filter may beoperative over the lens at a given time. The system may further comprisean IR light source, the IR light source configured to illuminate thesecond object for image acquisition in the second configuration. Thesystem may further comprise a second lens coupled to the third filter orthe fourth filter. The second lens may be configured to assist the lensin focusing the visible light onto the sensor if coupled to the thirdfilter, or focusing the IR light onto the sensor if coupled to thefourth filter. In some embodiments, at least one of the first filter orthe second filter is deposited on the lens.

In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method for acquiring IRlight and visible light images. The method may include operating a lensin a first configuration, the lens having a first filter over a firstportion of the lens and a second filter over a second portion of thelens. Operating in the first configuration may include operating thelens with a third filter and the second filter to allow visible lightfrom a first object located beyond a predetermined distance from thelens to pass and be focused on a sensor for image acquisition. Themethod may include operating the lens in a second configuration.Operating in the second configuration may comprise operating the lenswith a fourth filter and the first filter to allow IR light from asecond object located within the predetermined distance to pass and befocused on the sensor for image acquisition.

In some embodiments, the sensor acquires, in the second configuration,an image of the second object located within the predetermined distance,the second object comprising an iris for biometric acquisition. At leastone of the second filter or the third filter may allow light ofwavelength from 400 nm to 700 nm to pass. The at least one of the secondfilter or the third filter may comprise a band-pass filter. At least oneof the first filter or the fourth filter may allow light of wavelengthfrom 750 nm to 860 nm to pass. The at least one of the first filter orthe fourth filter may comprise a band-pass filter. The lens may bemaintained at a fixed distance from the sensor in the firstconfiguration and the second configuration.

In certain embodiments, the second region of the lens comprises acentral disk portion of the lens facing the sensor. The first region ofthe lens may comprise an annulus portion around the central diskportion. One of the third filter or the fourth filter may be operativelypositioned or otherwise activated over the lens at a given time. An IRlight source may illuminate the second object for image acquisition inthe second configuration. The method may include operating a second lenscoupled to the third filter or the fourth filter, to assist the lens infocusing the visible light onto the sensor if coupled to the thirdfilter, or in focusing the IR light onto the sensor if coupled to thefourth filter. In some embodiments, at least one of the first filter orthe second filter is deposited on the lens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures depict certain illustrative embodiments of themethods and systems described herein, where like reference numeralsrefer to like elements. Each depicted embodiment is illustrative ofthese methods and systems and not limiting.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrative of an embodiment of a networkedenvironment with a client machine that communicates with a server;

FIGS. 1B and 1C are block diagrams illustrative of embodiments ofcomputing machines for practicing the methods and systems describedherein;

FIG. 2A is a schematic drawing illustrative of a configuration of oneembodiment of a system for acquiring biometric and/or non-biometricimages;

FIG. 2B is a schematic drawing illustrative of a configuration of oneembodiment of a system for acquiring biometric and/or non-biometricimages;

FIG. 2C is a schematic drawing illustrative another configuration of oneembodiment of a system for acquiring biometric and/or non-biometricimages;

FIG. 2D is a schematic drawing illustrative of another configuration ofone embodiment of a system for acquiring biometric and/or non-biometricimages; and

FIG. 2E is a flow diagram illustrative of one embodiment of a method foracquiring biometric and/or non-biometric images.

The details of various embodiments of the methods and systems are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of reading the description of the various embodimentsbelow, the following descriptions of the sections of the specificationand their respective contents may be helpful:

-   -   Section A describes a network environment and computing        environment which may be useful for practicing embodiments        described herein; and    -   Section B describes embodiments of systems and methods for        acquiring visible light and IR light images.

A. Network and Computing Environment

Before addressing specific embodiments of the present solution, adescription of system components and features suitable for use in thepresent systems and methods may be helpful. FIG. 1A illustrates oneembodiment of a computing environment 101 that includes one or moreclient machines 102A-102N (generally referred to herein as “clientmachine(s) 102”) in communication with one or more servers 106A-106N(generally referred to herein as “server(s) 106”). Installed in betweenthe client machine(s) 102 and server(s) 106 is a network.

In one embodiment, the computing environment 101 can include anappliance installed between the server(s) 106 and client machine(s) 102.This appliance can manage client/server connections, and in some casescan load balance client connections amongst a plurality of backendservers. The client machine(s) 102 can in some embodiment be referred toas a single client machine 102 or a single group of client machines 102,while server(s) 106 may be referred to as a single server 106 or asingle group of servers 106. In one embodiment a single client machine102 communicates with more than one server 106, while in anotherembodiment a single server 106 communicates with more than one clientmachine 102. In yet another embodiment, a single client machine 102communicates with a single server 106.

A client machine 102 can, in some embodiments, be referenced by any oneof the following terms: client machine(s) 102; client(s); clientcomputer(s); client device(s); client computing device(s); localmachine; remote machine; client node(s); endpoint(s); endpoint node(s);or a second machine. The server 106, in some embodiments, may bereferenced by any one of the following terms: server(s), local machine;remote machine; server farm(s), host computing device(s), or a firstmachine(s).

The client machine 102 can in some embodiments execute, operate orotherwise provide an application that can be any one of the following:software; a program; executable instructions; a virtual machine; ahypervisor; a web browser; a web-based client; a client-serverapplication; a thin-client computing client; an ActiveX control; a Javaapplet; software related to voice over internet protocol (VoIP)communications like a soft IP telephone; an application for streamingvideo and/or audio; an application for facilitating real-time-datacommunications; a HTTP client; a FTP client; an Oscar client; a Telnetclient; or any other set of executable instructions. Still otherembodiments include a client device 102 that displays application outputgenerated by an application remotely executing on a server 106 or otherremotely located machine. In these embodiments, the client device 102can display the application output in an application window, a browser,or other output window. In one embodiment, the application is a desktop,while in other embodiments the application is an application thatgenerates a desktop.

The computing environment 101 can include more than one server 106A-106Nsuch that the servers 106A-106N are logically grouped together into aserver farm 106. The server farm 106 can include servers 106 that aregeographically dispersed and logically grouped together in a server farm106, or servers 106 that are located proximate to each other andlogically grouped together in a server farm 106. Geographicallydispersed servers 106A-106N within a server farm 106 can, in someembodiments, communicate using a WAN, MAN, or LAN, where differentgeographic regions can be characterized as: different continents;different regions of a continent; different countries; different states;different cities; different campuses; different rooms; or anycombination of the preceding geographical locations. In some embodimentsthe server farm 106 may be administered as a single entity, while inother embodiments the server farm 106 can include multiple server farms106.

In some embodiments, a server farm 106 can include servers 106 thatexecute a substantially similar type of operating system platform (e.g.,WINDOWS NT, manufactured by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., UNIX,LINUX, or SNOW LEOPARD.) In other embodiments, the server farm 106 caninclude a first group of servers 106 that execute a first type ofoperating system platform, and a second group of servers 106 thatexecute a second type of operating system platform. The server farm 106,in other embodiments, can include servers 106 that execute differenttypes of operating system platforms.

The server 106, in some embodiments, can be any server type. In otherembodiments, the server 106 can be any of the following server types: afile server; an application server; a web server; a proxy server; anappliance; a network appliance; a gateway; an application gateway; agateway server; a virtualization server; a deployment server; a SSL VPNserver; a firewall; a web server; an application server or as a masterapplication server; a server 106 executing an active directory; or aserver 106 executing an application acceleration program that providesfirewall functionality, application functionality, or load balancingfunctionality. In some embodiments, a server 106 may be a RADIUS serverthat includes a remote authentication dial-in user service. Someembodiments include a first server 106A that receives requests from aclient machine 102, forwards the request to a second server 106B, andresponds to the request generated by the client machine 102 with aresponse from the second server 106B. The first server 106A can acquirean enumeration of applications available to the client machine 102 andwell as address information associated with an application server 106hosting an application identified within the enumeration ofapplications. The first server 106A can then present a response to theclient's request using a web interface, and communicate directly withthe client 102 to provide the client 102 with access to an identifiedapplication.

Client machines 102 can, in some embodiments, be a client node thatseeks access to resources provided by a server 106. In otherembodiments, the server 106 may provide clients 102 or client nodes withaccess to hosted resources. The server 106, in some embodiments,functions as a master node such that it communicates with one or moreclients 102 or servers 106. In some embodiments, the master node canidentify and provide address information associated with a server 106hosting a requested application, to one or more clients 102 or servers106. In still other embodiments, the master node can be a server farm106, a client 102, a cluster of client nodes 102, or an appliance.

One or more clients 102 and/or one or more servers 106 can transmit dataover a network 104 installed between machines and appliances within thecomputing environment 101. The network 104 can comprise one or moresub-networks, and can be installed between any combination of theclients 102, servers 106, computing machines and appliances includedwithin the computing environment 101. In some embodiments, the network104 can be: a local-area network (LAN); a metropolitan area network(MAN); a wide area network (WAN); a primary network 104 comprised ofmultiple sub-networks 104 located between the client machines 102 andthe servers 106; a primary public network 104 with a private sub-network104; a primary private network 104 with a public sub-network 104; or aprimary private network 104 with a private sub-network 104. Stillfurther embodiments include a network 104 that can be any of thefollowing network types: a point to point network; a broadcast network;a telecommunications network; a data communication network; a computernetwork; an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network; a SONET(Synchronous Optical Network) network; a SDH (Synchronous DigitalHierarchy) network; a wireless network; a wireline network; or a network104 that includes a wireless link where the wireless link can be aninfrared channel or satellite band. The network topology of the network104 can differ within different embodiments, possible network topologiesinclude: a bus network topology; a star network topology; a ring networktopology; a repeater-based network topology; or a tiered-star networktopology. Additional embodiments may include a network 104 of mobiletelephone networks that use a protocol to communicate among mobiledevices, where the protocol can be any one of the following: AMPS; TDMA;CDMA; GSM; GPRS UMTS; 3G; 4G; or any other protocol able to transmitdata among mobile devices.

Illustrated in FIG. 1B is an embodiment of a computing device 100, wherethe client machine 102 and server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1A can bedeployed as and/or executed on any embodiment of the computing device100 illustrated and described herein. Included within the computingdevice 100 is a system bus 150 that communicates with the followingcomponents: a central processing unit 121; a main memory 122; storagememory 128; an input/output (I/O) controller 123; display devices124A-124N; an installation device 116; and a network interface 118. Inone embodiment, the storage memory 128 includes: an operating system,software routines, and a client agent 120. The I/O controller 123, insome embodiments, is further connected to a key board 126, and apointing device 127. Other embodiments may include an I/O controller 123connected to more than one input/output device 130A-130N.

FIG. 1C illustrates one embodiment of a computing device 100, where theclient machine 102 and server 106 illustrated in FIG. 1A can be deployedas and/or executed on any embodiment of the computing device 100illustrated and described herein. Included within the computing device100 is a system bus 150 that communicates with the following components:a bridge 170, and a first I/O device 130A. In another embodiment, thebridge 170 is in further communication with the main central processingunit 121, where the central processing unit 121 can further communicatewith a second I/O device 130B, a main memory 122, and a cache memory140. Included within the central processing unit 121, are I/O ports, amemory port 103, and a main processor.

Embodiments of the computing machine 100 can include a centralprocessing unit 121 characterized by any one of the following componentconfigurations: logic circuits that respond to and process instructionsfetched from the main memory unit 122; a microprocessor unit, such as:those manufactured by Intel Corporation; those manufactured by MotorolaCorporation; those manufactured by Transmeta Corporation of Santa Clara,Calif.; the RS/6000 processor such as those manufactured byInternational Business Machines; a processor such as those manufacturedby Advanced Micro Devices; or any other combination of logic circuits.Still other embodiments of the central processing unit 122 may includeany combination of the following: a microprocessor, a microcontroller, acentral processing unit with a single processing core, a centralprocessing unit with two processing cores, or a central processing unitwith more than one processing core.

While FIG. 1C illustrates a computing device 100 that includes a singlecentral processing unit 121, in some embodiments the computing device100 can include one or more processing units 121. In these embodiments,the computing device 100 may store and execute firmware or otherexecutable instructions that, when executed, direct the one or moreprocessing units 121 to simultaneously execute instructions or tosimultaneously execute instructions on a single piece of data. In otherembodiments, the computing device 100 may store and execute firmware orother executable instructions that, when executed, direct the one ormore processing units to each execute a section of a group ofinstructions. For example, each processing unit 121 may be instructed toexecute a portion of a program or a particular module within a program.

In some embodiments, the processing unit 121 can include one or moreprocessing cores. For example, the processing unit 121 may have twocores, four cores, eight cores, etc. In one embodiment, the processingunit 121 may comprise one or more parallel processing cores. Theprocessing cores of the processing unit 121 may in some embodimentsaccess available memory as a global address space, or in otherembodiments, memory within the computing device 100 can be segmented andassigned to a particular core within the processing unit 121. In oneembodiment, the one or more processing cores or processors in thecomputing device 100 can each access local memory. In still anotherembodiment, memory within the computing device 100 can be shared amongstone or more processors or processing cores, while other memory can beaccessed by particular processors or subsets of processors. Inembodiments where the computing device 100 includes more than oneprocessing unit, the multiple processing units can be included in asingle integrated circuit (IC). These multiple processors, in someembodiments, can be linked together by an internal high speed bus, whichmay be referred to as an element interconnect bus.

In embodiments where the computing device 100 includes one or moreprocessing units 121, or a processing unit 121 including one or moreprocessing cores, the processors can execute a single instructionsimultaneously on multiple pieces of data (SIMD), or in otherembodiments can execute multiple instructions simultaneously on multiplepieces of data (MIMD). In some embodiments, the computing device 100 caninclude any number of SIMD and MIMD processors.

The computing device 100, in some embodiments, can include an imageprocessor, a graphics processor or a graphics processing unit. Thegraphics processing unit can include any combination of software andhardware, and can further input graphics data and graphics instructions,render a graphic from the inputted data and instructions, and output therendered graphic. In some embodiments, the graphics processing unit canbe included within the processing unit 121. In other embodiments, thecomputing device 100 can include one or more processing units 121, whereat least one processing unit 121 is dedicated to processing andrendering graphics.

One embodiment of the computing machine 100 includes a centralprocessing unit 121 that communicates with cache memory 140 via asecondary bus also known as a backside bus, while another embodiment ofthe computing machine 100 includes a central processing unit 121 thatcommunicates with cache memory via the system bus 150. The local systembus 150 can, in some embodiments, also be used by the central processingunit to communicate with more than one type of I/O device 130A-130N. Insome embodiments, the local system bus 150 can be any one of thefollowing types of buses: a VESA VL bus; an ISA bus; an EISA bus; aMicroChannel Architecture (MCA) bus; a PCI bus; a PCI-X bus; aPCI-Express bus; or a NuBus. Other embodiments of the computing machine100 include an I/O device 130A-130N that is a video display 124 thatcommunicates with the central processing unit 121. Still other versionsof the computing machine 100 include a processor 121 connected to an I/Odevice 130A-130N via any one of the following connections:HyperTransport, Rapid I/O, or InfiniBand. Further embodiments of thecomputing machine 100 include a processor 121 that communicates with oneI/O device 130A using a local interconnect bus and a second I/O device130B using a direct connection.

The computing device 100, in some embodiments, includes a main memoryunit 122 and cache memory 140. The cache memory 140 can be any memorytype, and in some embodiments can be any one of the following types ofmemory: SRAM; BSRAM; or EDRAM. Other embodiments include cache memory140 and a main memory unit 122 that can be any one of the followingtypes of memory: Static random access memory (SRAM), Burst SRAM orSynchBurst SRAM (BSRAM); Dynamic random access memory (DRAM); Fast PageMode DRAM (FPM DRAM); Enhanced DRAM (EDRAM), Extended Data Output RAM(EDO RAM); Extended Data Output DRAM (EDO DRAM); Burst Extended DataOutput DRAM (BEDO DRAM); Enhanced DRAM (EDRAM); synchronous DRAM(SDRAM); JEDEC SRAM; PC100 SDRAM; Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM);Enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM); SyncLink DRAM (SLDRAM); Direct Rambus DRAM(DRDRAM); Ferroelectric RAM (FRAM); or any other type of memory. Furtherembodiments include a central processing unit 121 that can access themain memory 122 via: a system bus 150; a memory port 103; or any otherconnection, bus or port that allows the processor 121 to access memory122.

One embodiment of the computing device 100 provides support for any oneof the following installation devices 116: a CD-ROM drive, a CD-R/RWdrive, a DVD-ROM drive, tape drives of various formats, USB device, abootable medium, a bootable CD, a bootable CD for GNU/Linux distributionsuch as KNOPPIX®, a hard-drive or any other device suitable forinstalling applications or software. Applications can in someembodiments include a client agent 120, or any portion of a client agent120. The computing device 100 may further include a storage device 128that can be either one or more hard disk drives, or one or moreredundant arrays of independent disks; where the storage device isconfigured to store an operating system, software, programsapplications, or at least a portion of the client agent 120. A furtherembodiment of the computing device 100 includes an installation device116 that is used as the storage device 128.

The computing device 100 may further include a network interface 118 tointerface to a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) or theInternet through a variety of connections including, but not limited to,standard telephone lines, LAN or WAN links (e.g., 802.11, T1, T3, 56 kb,X.25, SNA, DECNET), broadband connections (e.g., ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM,Gigabit Ethernet, Ethernet-over-SONET), wireless connections, or somecombination of any or all of the above. Connections can also beestablished using a variety of communication protocols (e.g., TCP/IP,IPX, SPX, NetBIOS, Ethernet, ARCNET, SONET, SDH, Fiber Distributed DataInterface (FDDI), RS232, RS485, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b,IEEE 802.11g, CDMA, GSM, WiMax and direct asynchronous connections). Oneversion of the computing device 100 includes a network interface 118able to communicate with additional computing devices 100′ via any typeand/or form of gateway or tunneling protocol such as Secure Socket Layer(SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS), or the Citrix Gateway Protocolmanufactured by Citrix Systems, Inc. Versions of the network interface118 can comprise any one of: a built-in network adapter; a networkinterface card; a PCMCIA network card; a card bus network adapter; awireless network adapter; a USB network adapter; a modem; or any otherdevice suitable for interfacing the computing device 100 to a networkcapable of communicating and performing the methods and systemsdescribed herein.

Embodiments of the computing device 100 include any one of the followingI/O devices 130A-130N: a keyboard 126; a pointing device 127; mice;trackpads; an optical pen; trackballs; microphones; drawing tablets;video displays; speakers; inkjet printers; laser printers; anddye-sublimation printers; or any other input/output device able toperform the methods and systems described herein. An I/O controller 123may in some embodiments connect to multiple I/O devices 103A-130N tocontrol the one or more I/O devices. Some embodiments of the I/O devices130A-130N may be configured to provide storage or an installation medium116, while others may provide a universal serial bus (USB) interface forreceiving USB storage devices such as the USB Flash Drive line ofdevices manufactured by Twintech Industry, Inc. Still other embodimentsinclude an I/O device 130 that may be a bridge between the system bus150 and an external communication bus, such as: a USB bus; an AppleDesktop Bus; an RS-232 serial connection; a SCSI bus; a FireWire bus; aFireWire 800 bus; an Ethernet bus; an AppleTalk bus; a Gigabit Ethernetbus; an Asynchronous Transfer Mode bus; a HIPPI bus; a Super HIPPI bus;a SerialPlus bus; a SCI/LAMP bus; a FibreChannel bus; or a SerialAttached small computer system interface bus.

In some embodiments, the computing machine 100 can execute any operatingsystem, while in other embodiments the computing machine 100 can executeany of the following operating systems: versions of the MICROSOFTWINDOWS operating systems; the different releases of the Unix and Linuxoperating systems; any version of the MAC OS manufactured by AppleComputer; OS/2, manufactured by International Business Machines; Androidby Google; any embedded operating system; any real-time operatingsystem; any open source operating system; any proprietary operatingsystem; any operating systems for mobile computing devices; or any otheroperating system. In still another embodiment, the computing machine 100can execute multiple operating systems. For example, the computingmachine 100 can execute PARALLELS or another virtualization platformthat can execute or manage a virtual machine executing a first operatingsystem, while the computing machine 100 executes a second operatingsystem different from the first operating system.

The computing machine 100 can be embodied in any one of the followingcomputing devices: a computing workstation; a desktop computer; a laptopor notebook computer; a server; a handheld computer; a mobile telephone;a portable telecommunication device; a media playing device; a gamingsystem; a mobile computing device; a netbook, a tablet; a device of theIPOD or IPAD family of devices manufactured by Apple Computer; any oneof the PLAYSTATION family of devices manufactured by the SonyCorporation; any one of the Nintendo family of devices manufactured byNintendo Co; any one of the XBOX family of devices manufactured by theMicrosoft Corporation; or any other type and/or form of computing,telecommunications or media device that is capable of communication andthat has sufficient processor power and memory capacity to perform themethods and systems described herein. In other embodiments the computingmachine 100 can be a mobile device such as any one of the followingmobile devices: a JAVA-enabled cellular telephone or personal digitalassistant (PDA); any computing device that has different processors,operating systems, and input devices consistent with the device; or anyother mobile computing device capable of performing the methods andsystems described herein. In still other embodiments, the computingdevice 100 can be any one of the following mobile computing devices: anyone series of Blackberry, or other handheld device manufactured byResearch In Motion Limited; the iPhone manufactured by Apple Computer;Palm Pre; a Pocket PC; a Pocket PC Phone; an Android phone; or any otherhandheld mobile device. Having described certain system components andfeatures that may be suitable for use in the present systems andmethods, further aspects are addressed below.

B. Acquiring Visible Light and IR Light Images

In some aspects, the disclosure is directed at methods and systems ofusing a sensor to acquire biometric and non-biometric images using acombination of filters over a lens. Pairs of the filters can combineover different portions of the lens to pass infra-red or visible light.Therefore, the filters can selectively pass infra-red light through thelens for acquisition of biometric images, and can selectively passvisible light through the lens for acquisition of non-biometric images.Portions of the lens may be configured to support a first depth of fieldfor objects being imaged using IR light, and to support a second depthof field for objects being imaged using visible light. For instance, thesensor may acquire an image of an iris based on a first imagingconfiguration. The iris may be located within a predetermined distancerelative to the sensor. The first imaging configuration may include afirst filter over a first portion of a lens coupled to the sensor, and asecond filter over at least the first portion that combine with thefirst filter to allow infra-red light from the iris to pass to thesensor. The sensor may acquire an image of an object based on a secondimaging configuration. The object may be located beyond thepredetermined distance. The second imaging configuration may include athird filter over a second portion of the lens, and a fourth filterreplaces the second filter to combine with the third filter to allowvisible light from the object to pass to the sensor.

Embodiments of the present methods and systems may allow a single sensoror camera, and/or a single lens, to acquire biometrics (e.g., irisinformation) and images of other objects. The sensor may be coupled to alens to acquire biometric and non-biometric images using a combinationof filters. Pairs of the filters may combine over different portions ofa lens to pass infra-red or visible light. Particular pairs of thefilters may combine under a first imaging configuration for acquiringbiometric (e.g., IR) images. Other pairs of the filters may combineunder a second imaging configuration for acquiring non-biometric (e.g.,visible light) images.

In some embodiments, a system may comprise a lens that is capable offocusing within a mid to far range (e.g., depth of field of 20″ toinfinity) in the visible wavelength of light and also capable offocusing at a near range (e.g., a depth of field of 10″, 1″, 3″, 5″, 8″,12″, 15″, 18″, etc.) in the infra-red (IR) wavelength of light. Thesystem may include a sensor for image acquisition. The system mayinclude a filter layer on a subset (e.g., a first portion) of the lensand a filter layer external to the lens such that the combination of thetwo filters are configured to be IR-cut or visible-pass, or allows onlyvisible illumination to pass through to the sensor. The system mayinclude a filter layer on another portion of the lens, and anotherfilter layer external to the lens such that the combination of the twolatter filters are configured to be IR-pass or visible-cut, or allowsonly infrared illumination to pass through to the sensor. In someembodiments, the mid to far range may include a depth of field of forexample, 10″, 12″, 15″, 18″, 20″, 25″, 30″, 35″, 40″ or otherwise, to50″, 100″, 150″, 200″, 300″, 500″, infinity or otherwise. In someembodiments, the mid to far range does not overlap with the near range.In certain embodiments, the mid range (of the mid to far range) abuts oroverlaps with the near range. One or both of the external filter layersmay be movable or removable relative to the lens. For instance, theexternal filter layer on the first portion of the lens may slide over,or be moved relative to any portion of the lens or the whole lens.

In some embodiments, the system may be coupled to or incorporated into acomputing device, such as any embodiment of the computing device 100,102, 103 described above in connection with FIG. 1A-1C. For example, amain processor or CPU 121 may operate the sensor and/or external filterlayers, and may generate and/or process an image acquired via thesensor. The main processor or CPU 121 may control illumination (IRand/or visible) for image acquisition.

In some implementations, iris recognition uses imagery of the iris thatis at least 100 pixels in diameter and uses IR illumination, accordingto some ISO specifications for the iris. In some embodiments, however,the field of view of a sensor (e.g., for a typical visible spectrumwebcam) is such that a target subject or a user has to be approximately10″ from the sensor in order to achieve 100 pixels across the subject'siris. The visible spectrum webcam, however, may be configured to havefocal lengths that provide a depth of field that is approximately 20″ toinfinity, to acquire images of objects.

In some embodiments, the lens system comprises at least two portions orsettings. These portions or settings may sometimes be referred asimaging configurations or imaging modes.

The first portion or setting may include or correspond to a lens portion(e.g., first lens portion) that has a focal length that allows a sharpimage of an iris in infra-red light to be focused on a sensor when theiris is located at a near distance (e.g., 10″, 1″, 3″, 5″, 8″, 12″, 15″,18″, etc., from the lens) from the lens, sensor or system. In someembodiments, the first portion/setting may include a filter layer (e.g.,filter 1) located over a same lens portion as a filter layer external(e.g., filter 4) to the lens. The combination of the two filter layersmay be such that visible illumination is attenuated, and/or such thatinfra-red illumination suitable for iris recognition is allowed to passthrough this lens portion. The infra-red illumination band that isallowed to pass may be 750-860 nm for example. In some embodiments, oneor both of the aforementioned filter layers under the first setting maybe a band-pass filter for light of any wavelength within 750-860 nm, forexample. In other embodiments, the IR-pass band may be between 680 nm,700 nm, 720 nm, 725 nm, 750 nm, 770 nm or otherwise, to 800 nm, 820 nm,840 nm, 860 nm, 880 nm, 900 nm or otherwise, for example.

The second portion or setting may include or correspond to a second ordifferent lens portion to the aforementioned first portion, that has afocal length that allows a sharp image of object(s) in visible light tobe focused on a sensor when objects are at a mid to far distance fromthe lens, sensor or system. The second lens portion may benon-overlapping with the first lens portion, and may abut at least aportion of the first lens portion. In some embodiments, the secondportion of the lens may be coupled to a filter layer (e.g., filter 2),and a filter layer external (e.g., filter 3) to the lens such that thecombination of the latter two filter layers is such that infra-redillumination is attenuated and/or such that visible illuminationsuitable for viewing objects by humans is allowed to pass through orwithin the second portion of the lens. The visible illumination bandthat is allowed to pass may be 400-700 nm, for example. In someembodiments, one or both filter layers under the second setting may be aband-pass filter of light of any wavelength from 400-700 nm, forexample. In other embodiments, the IR-pass band may be between 250 nm,300 nm, 350 nm, 400 nm, 450 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, 600 nm or otherwise, to600 nm, 650 nm, 700 nm, 850 nm, 900 nm, 950 nm, 1000 nm, 1200 nm orotherwise, for example.

FIG. 2A shows one embodiment of the system. The lens may correspond tothe large circular shape, and one lens portion may comprise an outerannulus covered by filter 1. Another lens portion may comprise a centraldisk covered by filter 2. A moveable or removable external filter 3 maybe on top of (or in front of, relative to the transmission direction ofillumination propagating towards) the lens. Referring to oneillustrative embodiment, FIG. 2B shows focusing and/or acquisition ofimagery under the configuration of FIG. 2A. The combination of filter 2and filter 3 allows visible light to pass through the central portion ofthe lens and focus onto the sensor. Infra-red illumination however isblocked by filter 3 and/or filter 2.

Referring to an illustrative embodiment, FIG. 2C shows the systemconfigured such that the external filter material now corresponds tofilter 4 (e.g., filter 4 may be moved/introduced to cover a portion ofthe lens, and filter 3 may be removed or prevented from covering thelens). Referring to one illustrative embodiment, FIG. 2D shows focusingand/or acquisition of imagery under the configuration of FIG. 2C. Thecombination of filter 1 and filter 4 may allow infra-red light(corresponding to biometric information for example) to pass through thecircular annulus portion of the lens and focus onto the sensor. Visibleillumination however may be blocked (e.g., over the central portion ofthe lens covered by filter 2, and over the annulus portion) by thefilter 4 and/or 1.

In some embodiments, a switch between filter 3 and filter 4 over someportion of the lens may be performed by sliding (e.g., manually) one ormore filter structures over the lens or relative to the lens. In certainembodiments, filter 3 and filter 4 may remain in place relative to thelens, and each may be selectively activated (electrically and/ormechanically) to pass/transmit or attenuate/block certain wavelengths oflight. One or more of the filters described herein may each be referredas an optical filter. One or more of the filters described herein mayeach comprise an interference, dichroic, absorptive, Lyot, or metal meshfilter.

Each of the filters may be of any shape and size, e.g., relative to thelens, which itself may be of any shape and size. For example, a filterand/or the lens may have rectangular, square, circular and/or curvedfeatures. The shape and/or size of a filter may be configured relativeto the lens, or a portion of the lens with which the filter couples(e.g., optically couples). For instance, a lens may have a circular orrectangular profile, and may comprise portions configured for differentdepth of fields. The lens may be machined or produced to support themultiple (e.g., dual) imaging configurations described herein. The sizeand/or shape of a first filter (e.g., filter 1) may be configured tocorrespond/conform to or cover a first portion of the lens configuredfor a first imaging configuration, for example. Another filter (e.g.,the filter 3 and/or filter 4) may be configured to cover, completely orsubstantially (e.g., 80, 85, 90, 95 or 99 percent of) all of one side ofthe lens (e.g., where light is incident on, or emerges from).

In some embodiments, the size, shape and/or diameter(s) of the centralportion/disk and/or circular annulus (e.g., inner and/or outerdiameters) may be determined based on the lens' expected or configuredrange of focal lengths in the visible wavelength of light and/or in theIR wavelength of light. The lens' expected or configured range of focallengths in the IR and/or visible wavelength of light may correspond toan expected or configured range of the distance of an iris, eye orsubject from the system (e.g., lens) for image capture. The lens'expected or configured range of focus in the visible wavelength of lightmay correspond to an expected or configured range of the distance ofobjects (e.g., non-iris objects) from the system (e.g., lens) for imagecapture. In some embodiments, one portion of the lens is configured tosupport a first range of focal lengths (or a first depth of field) andanother portion of the lens is configured to support a second range offocal lengths (or a second depth of field). In certain embodiments, oneportion of the lens is configured to support a first depth of field forimage acquisition using IR light and another portion of the lens isconfigured to support a second depth of field for image acquisitionusing visible light.

In some embodiments, a sensor acquires an image of an iris based on afirst imaging configuration. The iris may be located within apredetermined distance relative to the sensor. The first imagingconfiguration may include a first filter over a first portion of a lenscoupled to the sensor, and a second filter over at least the firstportion that combine with the first filter to allow infra-red light fromthe iris to pass to the sensor. The first and/or the second filters maybe located on the same side (where light in incident on, or emerges fromthe lens) or different sides of the lens. One or both filters may coupledirectly (e.g., be deposited) onto the lens. One or both filters may bedisposed some distance(s) from the lens, e.g., mounted on a slider,frame or panel.

The sensor may acquire an image of an object based on a second imagingconfiguration. The object may be located beyond the predetermineddistance. The second imaging configuration may include a third filterover a second portion of the lens, and a fourth filter replaces thesecond filter to combine with the third filter to allow visible lightfrom the object to pass to the sensor. The third and/or the fourthfilters may be located on the same side or different sides of the lens.One or both filters may couple directly (e.g., be deposited) onto thelens. One or both filters may be disposed some distance(s) from thelens, e.g., mounted on a slider, frame or panel.

In some embodiments, the system may include an additional lens (e.g., athin lens) coupled on one or both of filters 3 and 4 of FIG. 2D forinstance, in order to perform at least some of the re-focus of the lensbetween visible and infra-red. For example, a second lens may be coupledon filter 3, and a third lens may be coupled on filter 4. The secondlens and the third lens may be configured to have the same or differentfocusing characteristic(s). For instance, different focusingcharacteristics may be configured corresponding to the different depthsof field and/or wavelengths (e.g., IR vs visible light).

In some embodiments, filter 3 may be deposited on (or coupled to) aslider. Filter 4 may be deposited on another slider, or on anotherportion of the same slider. In some embodiments, a slider can move anassociated filter over the lens, or away from the lens. In certainembodiments, the slider can be used to switch between filters 3 and 4,in positioning one of these filters over the lens. In some embodiments,there may be no filters deposited on (or coupled to) the lens and allthe filters are deposited on (or coupled to) the slider.

In certain embodiments, the slider (e.g., filter 3 and/or filter 4) maynot be present. This may allow contamination of visibleillumination/light and infra-red illumination/light. Due to thedifferent focus point of each of the infra-red and visible elements, thecontamination can be acceptable (e.g. of an acceptable level) in somecircumstances.

Referring now to FIG. 2E, one embodiment of a method for acquiring IRlight and visible light images is depicted. In one or more embodiments,an imaging system includes a lens, and the lens may have a first filterover a first portion of the lens, and may have a second filter over asecond portion of the lens. The method includes operating the lens in afirst configuration, comprising operating the lens with a third filterand the second filter to allow visible light from a first object locatedbeyond a predetermined distance from the lens to pass and be focused ona sensor for image acquisition (201). The sensor may acquire, in thefirst configuration, an image of the first object located beyond thepredetermined distance (203). The lens may be operated in a secondconfiguration, comprising operating the lens with a fourth filter andthe first filter to allow IR light from a second object located withinthe predetermined distance to pass and be focused on the sensor forimage acquisition (205). The sensor may acquire, in the secondconfiguration, an image of the second object located within thepredetermined distance (207). The second object may comprise an iris forbiometric acquisition.

In some embodiments, the lens may have a first filter over a firstportion of the lens, and may have a second filter over a second portionof the lens. At least one of the first filter or the second filter maybe deposited on, or coupled to the lens. For example, one or both of thefilters may be fused or applied onto different parts of the surface ofthe lens. In some embodiments, one or both of the filters are placed orsecured over different parts of the outer surface of one side of thelens. In certain embodiments, the second region of the lens comprises acentral disk portion of the lens facing the sensor, and the first regionof the lens comprises an annulus portion around the central diskportion. The imaging system may operate the lens in severalconfigurations, including at least a first configuration and a secondconfiguration.

Referring now to 201, and in one or more embodiments, the imaging systemoperates the lens in a first configuration. The system may operate thelens with a third filter and the second filter to allow visible lightfrom a first object located beyond a predetermined distance from thelens to pass and be focused on a sensor for image acquisition. Thesystem may allow the visible light to pass through the third filter, thelens and the second filter (via the second portion), to reach thesensor. At least one of the second filter or the third filter may allowlight of wavelength from 400 nm to 700 nm to pass. The at least one ofthe second filter or the third filter may comprise a band-pass filter.

The first filter may block some or all of the visible light from passingthrough or leaving the first portion of the lens. The lens,corresponding to the second portion, may focus the visible light ontothe sensor (or onto visible light sensitive or visible light specificportions of the sensor). In some embodiments, the system operates asecond lens coupled to the third filter, to assist the lens in focusingthe visible light onto the sensor.

Referring now to 203, and in one or more embodiments, the sensor mayacquire, in the first configuration, an image of the first objectlocated beyond the predetermined distance. The sensor may acquire animage of the first object using visible light when the third filter isactivated or covering the lens. A processor of the system may, forexample, coordinate the image acquisition with the activation or use ofthe third filter in relation to the lens. The system may illuminate theobject using a visible light source, for acquisition of an image of thefirst object. A processor of the system may, for example, coordinate theimage acquisition with the illumination from the visible light source.

Referring now to 205, and in one or more embodiments, the imaging systemoperates the lens in a second configuration. The system may operate thelens with a fourth filter and the first filter to allow IR light fromanother object located within the predetermined distance to pass and befocused on the sensor for image acquisition. The system may allow the IRlight to pass through the fourth filter, the lens and the first filter(via the first portion), to reach the sensor. At least one of the firstfilter or the fourth filter may allow light of wavelength from 750 nm to860 nm to pass. The at least one of the first filter or the fourthfilter may comprise a band-pass filter.

The second filter may block some or all of the IR light from passingthrough or leaving the second portion of the lens. The lens,corresponding to the first portion, may focus the IR light onto thesensor (or onto IR light sensitive or IR specific portions of thesensor). In some embodiments, the system operates another lens coupledto the fourth filter, to assist the lens in focusing the IR light ontothe sensor. In some embodiments, the system operates only one of thethird filter or the fourth filter over the lens at a given time. Thelens may be maintained at a fixed distance from the sensor in the firstconfiguration and the second configuration

Referring now to 207, and in one or more embodiments, the sensor mayacquire, in the second configuration, an image of the second objectlocated within the predetermined distance. The second object maycomprise an iris for biometric acquisition. The sensor may acquire, inthe second configuration, an image of the second object located withinthe predetermined distance. The sensor may acquire an image of thesecond object using IR light when the fourth filter is activated orcovering the lens. A processor of the system may, for example,coordinate the image acquisition with the activation or use of thefourth filter in relation to the lens. The system may illuminate theobject using an IR light source, for acquisition of an image of thesecond object. A processor of the system may, for example, coordinatethe image acquisition with the illumination from the IR light source.

Having described certain embodiments of the methods and systems, it willnow become apparent to one of skill in the art that other embodimentsincorporating the concepts of the invention may be used. It should beunderstood that the systems described above may provide multiple ones ofany or each of those components and these components may be provided oneither a standalone machine or, in some embodiments, on multiplemachines in a distributed system. The systems and methods describedabove may be implemented as a method, apparatus or article ofmanufacture using programming and/or engineering techniques to producesoftware, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. In addition,the systems and methods described above may be provided as one or morecomputer-readable programs embodied on or in one or more articles ofmanufacture. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass code or logic accessible from and embedded in oneor more computer-readable devices, firmware, programmable logic, memorydevices (e.g., EEPROMs, ROMs, PROMs, RAMs, SRAMs, etc.), hardware (e.g.,integrated circuit chip, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA),Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), electronicdevices, a computer readable non-volatile storage unit (e.g., CD-ROM,floppy disk, hard disk drive, etc.). The article of manufacture may beaccessible from a file server providing access to the computer-readableprograms via a network transmission line, wireless transmission media,signals propagating through space, radio waves, infrared signals, etc.The article of manufacture may be a flash memory card or a magnetictape. The article of manufacture includes hardware logic as well assoftware or programmable code embedded in a computer readable mediumthat is executed by a processor. In general, the computer-readableprograms may be implemented in any programming language, such as LISP,PERL, C, C++, C#, PROLOG, or in any byte code language such as JAVA. Thesoftware programs may be stored on or in one or more articles ofmanufacture as object code.

It should be noted that certain passages of this disclosure canreference terms such as “first” and “second” in connection with filters,sensors, etc., for purposes of identifying or differentiating one fromanother or from others. These terms are not intended to merely relateentities (e.g., a first device and a second device) temporally oraccording to a sequence, although in some cases, these entities caninclude such a relationship. Nor do these terms limit the number ofpossible entities (e.g., devices) that can operate within a system orenvironment.

It should be understood that the systems described above can providemultiple ones of any or each of those components and these componentscan be provided on either a standalone machine or, in some embodiments,on multiple machines in a distributed system.

We claim:
 1. A system for acquiring infra-red (IR) light and visiblelight images, the system comprising: a sensor; and a lens configured tooperate in at least a first configuration and a second configuration,the lens having a first filter over a first portion of the lens and asecond filter over a second portion of the lens, wherein: in the firstconfiguration, a third filter operates with the lens and the secondfilter to allow visible light from a first object located beyond apredetermined distance from the lens to pass and be focused on thesensor for image acquisition; and in the second configuration, a fourthfilter operates with the lens and the first filter to allow IR lightfrom a second object located within the predetermined distance to passand be focused on the sensor for image acquisition.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the second object located within the predetermineddistance comprises an iris for biometric acquisition.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the second filter or the third filtercomprises a band-pass filter configured to allow light of wavelengthfrom 400 nm to 700 nm to pass.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first filter or the fourth filter comprises a band-passfilter configured to allow light of wavelength from 750 nm to 860 nm topass.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the lens is disposed at a fixeddistance from the sensor in the first configuration and the secondconfiguration.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second region ofthe lens comprises a central disk portion of the lens facing the sensor,and the first region of the lens comprises an annulus portion around thecentral disk portion.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein only one of thethird filter or the fourth filter is operative over the lens at a giventime.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an IR light source,the IR light source configured to illuminate the second object for imageacquisition in the second configuration.
 9. The system of claim 1,further comprising a second lens coupled to the third filter or thefourth filter, the second lens configured to assist the lens in focusingthe visible light onto the sensor if coupled to the third filter, orfocusing the IR light onto the sensor if coupled to the fourth filter.10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first filter orthe second filter is deposited on the lens.
 11. A method for acquiringinfra-red (IR) light and visible light images, the method comprising:operating a lens in a first configuration, the lens having a firstfilter over a first portion of the lens and a second filter over asecond portion of the lens, wherein operating in the first configurationcomprises operating the lens with a third filter and the second filterto allow visible light from a first object located beyond apredetermined distance from the lens to pass and be focused on a sensorfor image acquisition; and operating the lens in a second configuration,wherein operating in the second configuration comprises operating thelens with a fourth filter and the first filter to allow IR light from asecond object located within the predetermined distance to pass and befocused on the sensor for image acquisition.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising acquiring, by the sensor in the second configuration,an image of the second object located within the predetermined distance,the second object comprising an iris for biometric acquisition.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, comprising allowing, by at least one of the secondfilter or the third filter, light of wavelength from 400 nm to 700 nm topass, the at least one of the second filter or the third filtercomprising a band-pass filter.
 14. The method of claim 11, comprisingallowing, by at least one of the first filter or the fourth filter,light of wavelength from 750 nm to 860 nm to pass, the at least one ofthe first filter or the fourth filter comprising a band-pass filter. 15.The method of claim 11, further comprising maintaining the lens at afixed distance from the sensor in the first configuration and the secondconfiguration.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the second region ofthe lens comprises a central disk portion of the lens facing the sensor,and the first region of the lens comprises an annulus portion around thecentral disk portion.
 17. The method of claim 11, comprising operatingonly one of the third filter or the fourth filter over the lens at agiven time.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising illuminating,by an IR light source, the second object for image acquisition in thesecond configuration.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprisingoperating a second lens coupled to the third filter or the fourthfilter, to assist the lens in focusing the visible light onto the sensorif coupled to the third filter, or in focusing the IR light onto thesensor if coupled to the fourth filter.
 20. The method of claim 11,wherein at least one of the first filter or the second filter isdeposited on the lens.